(10) Portland Timbers (2,3,5, 11 points) vs (2) New York Red Bulls (5,2,2, 17 points)
Saturday May 7, 2022, KO 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM EST
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Portland Timbers announced in midweek, per the Oregonian reporter Ryan Clarke, that the team is desperately looking to sign a striker in the next hours to see if they can put a stop to this ridiculous goal drought the team is experiencing lately.
The lack of creativity as well as seeing an unambitious display on the pitch is becoming alarming. For the Timbers in last week’s game against Colorado, the team didn’t show any commitment to a comeback in the entire match.
What I see is a team lacking teamwork and a lot of individualism from many of its players and that’s no way to win matches and be competitive.
For manager Giovanni Savarese, it is a must to find a winning formula and step up the competition in training camp to see who is ready and determined to deliver come game time as well as give his young players more minutes.
Adjustments in the game plan with more ambition and more unity in the field for its starters as well not rely solely on one player or two, but also the return of teamwork in the whole starting eleven is a must if this team is to make a quick turnaround.
However, the arrival of this number nine-player can become pivotal for the team. But the question arises of how soon he will be ready and adjust to Gio’s game plan or scheme.
Will the Portland Timbers come with an upset over high-flying Red Bulls at home or again deliver another shameless performance in the Big Apple against a team looking at any cost to win the league by the way these are playing in this 2022?
What will make this team start playing a decent game of football?
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Claudio Bravo; Cristhian Paredes, Eryk Williamson; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
New York Red Bulls Briefly
Gerhard Struber’s Red Bulls have posted a perfect record on the road thus far and it may be an omen of good things to come to Red Bull Arena. At least they hope so as they are currently 0-2-2 at home.
A team that has scored thirteen goals on the road as well as its defensive backfield just allowing three goals along with two clean sheets against New England and Orlando on the road, tells you a lot of this team’s seriousness.
With a terrible trio led by Lewis Morgan leading the team with four goals, alongside Patryck Klimala who scored a brace last week against the Chicago Fire, and Carlos Coronel’s defensive game and astute moves prevent opposing teams any liberties towards his goalposts.
If we speak about the keys of the game in favor of RBNY, will be its stingy defense that has become very valuable on the road as well as an overall team effort that plays like a well-oiled machine and with results being very visible.
So far in the season, the New York side has been playing with a lot of hunger and with complete harmony and synchrony that are delivering incredible results for these Red Bulls.
Probable Lineup:
GK Carlos Coronel, Tom Edwards, Sean Nealis, Aaron Long, John Tolkin; Lucas Lima, Frankie Amaya, Cristian Casseres, Lewis Morgan; Omir Fernandez, Ashley Fletcher
Meetings
09/18/2019 Portland Timbers 0-2 New York Red Bull
02/16/2019 New York Red Bull 2-2 Portland Timbers
03/18/2018 New York Red Bull 4-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The way these Timbers playing lately, I have my doubts about a win over the Red Bulls
